Nanotechnology in Groundwater Remediation
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International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 3, June 2011 Nanotechnology in Groundwater Remediation C.S. Rajan over the exposure of humans and environment to Abstract- Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that has nanoparticles that may exert deleterious effects. gained significant momentum in recent years. Nanoparticles Toxicological risk assessment demands information on both are the key players that have promised many benefits through exposure and uptake of nanoparticles and their immediate their nano-enabled applications in multiple sectors. This effects once they enter the human system. But, the available review summarizes the use of nanomaterials such as zero valent iron (nZVI) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in data on these topics are very limited to form conclusions environmental cleanup like ground water remediation for and recommendations [6]. In response to these concerns, drinking and reuse. There are, however, concerns regarding various scientific community is gaining knowledge in the potential risks associated with the use of nanomaterials to exposing their toxicological effects on human [7] and the environment and human health. An understanding of the ecological health [8].This review focuses on various relationship between the properties of nanoparticles and their research and experimental works regarding the use of in vivo effects would provide an effective strategy to tackle the deleterious effects. nanotechnology for environmental cleanup, particularly on their application in ground water and drinking water Index Terms- Carbon Nanotube, Iron Nanoparticles, remediation with the help of nanoparticles such as Zero Nanoremediation, Toxicology. valent iron (nZVI) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT). It also focuses on the deleterious effects of using these nanoparticles. I. INTRODUCTION In recent years, nanoscience and technology has introduced a new dimension to scientific disciplines and II. SITE REMEDIATION technology sectors due to its ability to exhibit super- In response to a growing need to address environmental functional properties of materials at nano-dimensions. There contamination, many remediation technologies have been is a remarkable rise in research and development in all developed to treat soil, leachate, wastewater and developed countries and many developing countries groundwater contaminated by various pollutants, using in pertaining to this field. Organizations such as Universities, situ and ex situ methods [9]. In particular, a contaminated public research institutes and industrial R&D laboratories site may require a combination of procedures to allow the 1focus strongly on this new technology to benefit from its optimum remediation for the prevailing conditions. scientific and technological advantages [1]. Nanotechnology Chemical, physical and biological technologies may be used is a multidisciplinary field that applies engineering and in accordance with one another to reduce the contamination manufacturing principles at molecular level [2]. In broad to a safe level. Hence, for a successful treatment, proper terms, nanotechnology is the development and use of selection, design, and adjustment of the remediation techniques to study physical phenomena and construct technology’s operations should be carried out based on the structures in the physical size range of 1–100 nanometers properties of the contaminants and soils and on the (nm) as well as the incorporation of these structures into performance of the system [10]. Previously, conventional applications [3]. The past couple of decades have been methods include primarily pump and treat operations. This dedicated to the synthesis, characterization, and application method involves extraction of groundwater through wells of nanomaterials and trenches and treating groundwater by above-ground (ex situ) processes such as air stripping, carbon adsorption, Nanotechnology has revolutionized a multitude of sectors biological reactors or chemical precipitation [11]. But such as the electronic, chemical, biotechnology and unfortunately, most of these methods produce highly biomedical industries [4]. Whereas various industries contaminated waste which then has to be disposed off, produce different varieties of nanomaterials there are resulting in high operation time [12]. increasing efforts to use nanotechnology in environmental A common type of in situ or below-ground remediation engineering to protect the environment by pollution control, method used for cleaning up contaminated groundwater is treatment and as a remedial measure to long term problems the permeable reactive barrier (PRB). PRBs are treatment such as contaminated waste sites [5]. This technique has zones composed of materials that degrade or immobilize proved to be an effective alternative to the conventional contaminants as the groundwater passes through the barrier. practices for site remediation. Further research has also They can be installed as permanent, semi- permanent or been carried out and its application is found useful in the replaceable barriers within the flow path of a contaminant treatment of in drinking water. plume. The material chosen for the barrier is based on the Despite their potential benefits, there is a major concern contaminant(s) of concern [11]. One drawback of PRBs is that they can only remediate contaminant plumes that pass Manuscript received April 7, 2011 through them; they do not address dense non aqueous-phase C. S. Rajan is with the Department of Chemical Engineering, liquids NAPLs (DNAPLs) or contaminated groundwater Sathyabama University, Chennai.600119 (e-mail: [email protected]). that is beyond the barrier. 182 International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 2, No. 3, June 2011 III. NANOREMEDIATION especially chlorinated organic solvents, organochlorine In recent years, nanoremediation has become the main pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) [18]. focus of research and development. There is great potential The large specific surface area nanoparticles are to use this technology to clean up the contaminated sites and significantly more active than larger particles of the same protect the environment from pollution. This eco-friendly material to remove arsenic from ground water [19].This was technology is considered to be an effective alternative to the evident as the nanoparticles were able to bind arsenic five to current practices of site remediation. Nanoremediation ten times more than micro-sized particles. methods involve application of reactive materials for the detoxification and transformation of pollutants. These materials initiate both chemical reduction and catalysis of the pollutants of concern [5]. The unique properties of nanomaterials make them best suited for in situ applications. Their small size and novel surface coatings enable them to achieve farther and wider distribution when compared to large-sized particles [8]. The use of nanotechnology for site remediation could potentially provide a solution for faster and more cost- effective site remediation. Many different nanomaterials Fig.1 Schematic diagram of Zero valent Iron have been evaluated for use in nanoremediation. They include nanoscale zeolites, metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, noble metals and titanium dioxide. Of these, nanoscale zero- valent iron (nZVI) is currently widely used in groundwater remediation [5]. In addition to groundwater remediation, nanotechnology has also contributed towards reducing the presence of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL). For this purpose, a material utilizing nano-sized oxide is used in situ to clean up heating oil spills from underground oil tanks. Compared to previous remediation methods, this approach provided an overall reduction in the contaminant levels [13]. IV. NANOSCALE IRON NANOPARTICLE (NZVI) Iron nanoparticles are an attractive component for nanoremediation. Iron at the nanoscale was synthesized from Fe (II) and Fe (III), using borohydride as the reductant. Nanoscale zero-valent iron particles range from 10 to 100 Fig. 2. Magnified Image of an Emulsified Zero Valent Iron (EZVI) nm in diameter. They exhibit a typical core shell structure. To remove the contaminants, the super paramagnetic The core consists primarily of zero-valent or metallic iron property of iron nanoparticle was manipulated and retrieved whereas the mixed valent [i.e., Fe (II) and Fe (III)] oxide using a magnetic field without the negligence of being shell is formed as a result of oxidation of the metallic iron. released into the environment. Laboratory tests have Iron typically exists in the environment as iron (II) - and indicated that in excess of 99% of arsenic in water samples iron (III)-oxides [14]. nZVI are generally preferred for can be removed using 12nm diameter iron oxide nanoremediation because of large surface area of nanoparticles [20]. nanoparticles and more number of reactive sites than micro- For the treatment of trichloroethane (TCE), a hazardous sized particles [8] and it posses dual properties of organic contaminant present in water, the surface of the zero adsorption and reduction, as shown in figure 1. This enables valent iron nanoparticle is modified to contain an oil-liquid it to be used for the remediation of wide range of membrane. This oil-liquid membrane which is generally contaminants present in situ. Moreover, when zero valent composed of food-grade surfactant, biodegradable oil and iron was allowed greater access to the contaminant site, it water is hydrophobic and